First two London ‘Cycle Superhighways’ announced

Boris Johnson has announced the routs of two proposed ‘Cycle Superhighways’ which will prioritise bicycle users and provide “safe, direct and continuous routes” into central London from South Wimbledon and Barking.

Transport for London is planning a total of twelve ‘Superhighways’ which will each cover a route of between 10 and 15km and run on a combination of TfL and local council managed roads. The routes announced today are from South Wimbledon to Bank via the A24 and A3, and Barking to Tower Hill via the A13 and Cable Street.

Johnson said the ‘Superhighways’ were “central to the cycling revolution I’m determined to bring about” and promised they would lead a revolution for bike users, commenting: “No longer will pedal power have to dance and dodge around petrol power – on these routes the bicycle will dominate and that will be clear to all others using them. That should transform the experience of cycling – boosting safety and confidence of everyone using the routes and reinforcing my view that the bike is the best way to travel in this wonderful city of ours.”

Responding to the Mayor’s announcement, Green Party London Assembly Member Jenny Jones said: “Cycling highways are a big bold experiment which could deliver a huge rise in commuter cycling. However, the Mayor has to sort out all the dangerous junctions along these routes and that requires real money and commitment.”

“An increase in commuter cyclists will be good for the environment and people’s health, but a dozen high profile routes won’t lead to a five fold increase in cycling that the Mayor wants. London needs cycle hire and a plan for increasing cycling in the suburbs, on top of superhighways. That means finishing the London Cycle Network and funding the three hundred and eighty cycling schemes which were cut from his budget.”

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